Vitamins

What are Vitamins Vitamins are complex organic substances vital to life. Without them you could end up with a deficiency disease. A disease caused by a lack of a specific nutrient. Examples of deficiency disease include scurvy, beriberi and rickets.

The Function of Vitamins Vitamins do not provide energy or build the body physically. Instead they work with enzymes to perform specific functions in the body. Enzymes which are made up of a protein molecule and a co-enzyme speed up reactions that would otherwise proceed too slowly to sustain cell life.

Function of vitamins A vitamin may form part of a co- enzyme. If you don’t get enough vitamins or the right vitamins then the co-enzyme slowly stops working and cells begin to function less efficiently. Thus the cells-and the organs and tissues they make up-begin to die.

Structure of Vitamins Most vitamins have similar basic components that include the following. A six-sided ring that includes carbon or carbon and nitrogen atoms as well as hydrogen atoms and hydrocarbons.

The Vitamins you need. Natural vitamins are found only in living things. We cannot synthesize our own vitamins we must get them from the plants and animals that we eat. Different foods are good sources of different vitamins. Recommended intakes may vary according to a person’s age and gender.

Water-Soluble vitamins Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Nine water-soluble vitamins-the major B vitamins and vitamin C-are essential for humans.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins Fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in lipids. Like fat they are stored in the body until needed. Examples include Vitamin A, D, E and K